The Countdown Begins: St. Pete-Clearwater prepares to welcome The Ocean Race in May 2027

by Laura Muma 12 May 09:54 PDT May 4-16, 2027

The start of The Ocean Race Europe 2025 in Kiel, Germany on August 10, 2025 © Lloyd Images / The Ocean Race Europe 2025

With one year to go, excitement is building for the arrival of The Ocean Race in St. Pete-Clearwater, as the Sunshine State's Gulf Coast destination prepares to host the iconic around-the-world competition for the first time in The Ocean Race's 50+ year history.

From May 4-16, 2027, the world's best offshore sailors will converge on Florida's Gulf Coast for a can't-miss, fun-filled stopover — the only North American port on the global race route. The Ocean Race 2027 begins in January in Alicante, Spain, then races to Auckland, New Zealand, and on to Itajaí, Brazil, before arriving at St. Pete-Clearwater.

The Ocean Race has earned its reputation as the sport's most intense and grueling competition and is known as "the Everest of the Seas." The four-person teams (at least one female on every boat) race aboard the world's fastest foiling offshore race boats - the IMOCA class - facing weeks at sea, navigating through the planet's most diverse and challenging waters from the doldrums to the legendary Southern Ocean.

"This is more than a milestone moment for our community — it's a global stage," says Steve Grimes, Visit St. Pete-Clearwater's chief marketing officer. "In one year's time, we will welcome the world to our waterfront and showcase everything that makes this destination so special — from our maritime heritage to our amazing experiences, gorgeous beaches and passionate sailing community."

2027 Stopover Schedule Highlights

St. Petersburg Yacht Club (SPYC) in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg, will anchor The Ocean Race festivities. The Ocean Live Park race village in South Straub Park (next to SPYC) will be a free, open-to-the-public race village designed to bring fans closer than ever to the action. Over nearly two weeks of programming, visitors can expect an immersive blend of sport, culture, sustainability, and entertainment.

On-the-water highlights include the IMOCA foiling sailboats doing speed runs, and local races - short, high-intensity races designed to showcase elite sailing skills close to shore for spectators. These races are separate from the long-distance ocean legs, and are critical for the overall rankings, serving as the tie-breaker for any points ties.

Team & Boat Access: Up-close views of the cutting-edge IMOCA race boats and opportunities to see teams preparing for offshore competition, right in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg.
Sailing & Ocean Education: Interactive exhibits and programming focused on ocean health, sustainability, and innovation. Through partnerships with research institutions such as the University of South Florida, the St. Pete-Clearwater stopover will help highlight the importance of protecting ocean ecosystems and advancing scientific understanding of the seas in fun, engaging ways for adults and youth alike.
Live Racing Action: Big-screen coverage of race legs, in-port / coastal racing, and speed challenges.
Family-Friendly Activities: Hands-on experiences and youth engagement opportunities throughout the village.
Food, Music & Culture: Local flavors, live entertainment, and community showcases celebrating the spirit of St. Pete-Clearwater.
Hospitality & VIP Experiences: Premium viewing and event access for partners, guests, and visiting media.

Building Momentum: More to Come

"We're just getting started," says Rob Britts, St. Pete-Clearwater stopover director. "Over the next year, we'll roll out new programs, partnerships, and ways for the community to engage. This is an incredible opportunity for St. Pete-Clearwater, and we're committed to making it unforgettable for visitors, fans, sailors, and our entire region."

These include:

A commemorative poster competition, inviting professional artists and local youth to create an iconic visual representation of the St. Pete-Clearwater stopover (details forthcoming)
Expanded education and youth sailing programs, connecting the next generation to the sport and ocean conservation
Community partnerships and cultural programming, celebrating the region's unique identity
Volunteer and ambassador opportunities, giving residents a chance to be part of a global event

Supporting this momentum is The Skyway Organization, which has spent the past year and a half spearheading the effort to secure this global marquee event while advancing its mission as an advanced materials, autonomy, and marine-to-space innovation company shaping the region's future through cutting-edge technology and global partnerships.

St. Pete-Clearwater, Florida - photo © Visit St Pete - Clearwater

A Defining Moment for Sailing in the U.S.

The St. Pete-Clearwater stopover represents a major step forward in reconnecting American audiences with elite offshore sailing — bringing the cutting-edge, foiling IMOCA fleet to U.S. waters in a meaningful way.

US Sailing CEO and 2023 Ocean Race winning skipper Charlie Enright emphasized the significance of the moment: "As an American sailor who has had the honor of winning this race, I can tell you that bringing grand prix racing in foiling IMOCA boats to the USA is a fantastic initiative.

"St. Pete-Clearwater is a sailing and sporting community with real energy, and launching a transatlantic leg from the Gulf Coast is going to be something special. Thinking about racing out of those beautiful Florida waters and driving hard across the Atlantic to Cascais... that is a leg I would race in a heartbeat. I might have to dig out my sea boots!"

Race fans will be able to follow The Ocean Race fleet along their entire journey via live tracking and social media (each team carries an on-board reporter as well as live broadcast technology), and will know the moment the fleet approaches the iconic Skyway Bridge to finish the third leg of the global route.

The St. Pete-Clearwater Schedule At A Glance: